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State of Nature

State of Nature

A groundbreaking study, launched by Sir David Attenborough, finds wildlife in decline with six out of ten UK species threatened.

In 2013, a groundbreaking study, launched by Sir David Attenborough, found that wildlife was in decline with six out of ten UK species threatened.

25 conservation organisations joined forces across the UK to call on people to take action.

The inaugural State of Nature report is the first of its kind to document the status and population trends of animals and plants in the United Kingdom and its Overseas Territories.

State of Nature 2019

The report reveals that 35% of English species studied have declined, 31% have increased and 34% shown little change since 1970, while 13% of species assessed in England are threatened with extinction.

Butterflies have been particularly hard hit with numbers of butterflies down by 23%. The numbers of species, such as the High Brown Fritillary and Grayling, that require more specialised habitats have declined by more than three quarters.

England’s mammals also fare badly with greater than 27% of species at risk of disappearing altogether. The Red Squirrel and Greater Mouse-eared Bat are among those species teetering on the edge of disappearing.

In Gloucestershire, the county's natural environment has been going through unseen and unprecedented change that threatens to impact on our wildlife, health, wellbeing and the economy.

2011

In 2011 the Trust produced its first State of the Environment which identified the scale of habitat loss and development within Gloucestershire. The Trust intends on producing a report each year indentifying key issues for Gloucestershire's wildlife and wild places.

2012

In 2012 we are focusing on the importance of brownfield sites for wildlife and asking councils to ensure they understand the ecology of brownfield sites before they grant permission for further development so important wildlife sites aren't destroyed for good.

2014

In 2014 we are warning of the impact of invasive non-native species to Gloucestershire’s native plants and animals. The report highlights three species - Himalayan balsam, muntjac deer and American signal crayfish - which are out of control in Gloucestershire and altering long established habitats, pushing some native species to the verge of extinction.

2015

In 2015 we published a State of the Natural Environment Report which states the area - known as the Golden Triangle - is the county flower’s only remaining stronghold in the county.

An increase in ploughing and the introduction of non-native wild daffodil species in recent years, have seen the delicate flowers come under threat.

2019

This year we released Our Manifesto. This is a document this outlines our concerns for the environmental wellbeing of our county and what we intend to do to counter the destructive course nature is on.